Umbrella



?? 3%@ LE Roy W. STAUNTON ETAL @4955@3 UMBRELLA Filed April 28, 1945 4 Shets-Sheei: l

Edward JHUp/arw,

,f Mmm M 1%@ 25% Feb., 7, "1950 1 E ROY w. STAUNTON ET A1.

UMBRELLA Filed April 28, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 eb.. 7, i950 LE ROY w. STAUNTON ET Ax. 2,496,50

UMBRELLA Filed April 28, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb 7 N5@ LE ROY w. STAUNTON ET AL. 455m UMBRELLA Filed April 2s, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Feb. 7, y1950 UMBRELLA Le Roy Staunton, Evanston, Ralph L. Atkinson, Hinsdale, and Edward J. Hopkins, Chicago, Ill., assignors to United Wallpaper, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application April 28, 1945, Serial No. 590,911

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a new and improved umbrella and more particularly to an umbrella structure capable of manufacture at low cost and adapted to fold into a small space when not in use. Because of its low cost, it is suitable for emergency or temporary use and is salable for such use at a moderate price.

While umbrellas of this general character have heretofore been developed they have in general been so designed as to make their cost such as to render their commercial production and sale for temporary use impractical due to a prohibitive sales price, or on the other hand have been so imsy in character as to render them ineffective even for emergency use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved folding umbrella suitable for commercial production at low cost.

It is a further object to provide an umbrella of this character which is strong and effective as a protection against the weather.

It is an additional object to provide an umbrella so designed as to be 'folded compactly and relatively durable so as to be capable of repeated use.

It is another object to .provide an umbrella formed of inexpensive and readily available materials.

Other and further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

We have shown certain preferred embodiments of our invention in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rib of one form of the umbrella.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a plurality of ribs in assembled relation,

Figure 3 is a plan View of the umbrella during the assembly operation,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section showing the method of securing the cover to the ribs.

Figure 5 is a side elevation of a rib showing one method of securing the end ribs together,

Figure 6 is a plan view of an umbrella during the unfolding or erecting process,

Figures 7, 8, and 9 are views similar to Figure 5 showing modified forms of securing means,

Figure 10 is a fragmentary section showing one form of handle assembly,

Figure 11 is a perspective of the handle of Figure 10,

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing a modified form of construction,

Figure 13 is a side elevation of a complete umbrella,

Figure 14 shows one form of umbrella and handle when ffolded for shipment or storage,

Figure l5 is a view similar to Figure 10 but showing a modied form of construction,

Figure 16 is a fragmentary view of the form of construction of Figure 15 showing the method of folding the handle for shipment or storage,

Figure 17 is aperspective of the handle construction of Figures 15 and 16, v

Figure 18 is a side elevation on a reduced scal showing the complete umbrella of Figures 15 and 16 folded for shipment or storage.

Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 18 but showing a construction with a detachable handle,

Figure 2O is an exploded view of one lform of detachable handle assembly,`

Figure 21 is a perspective showing a modified form of handle,

Figure 22 is a fragmentary section showing another form of handle assembly,

Figure 23 is a fragmentary section showing the relation of the handle bracket to the ribs,

Figure 24 is a view similar to Figures 15 and 22 showing a further modification of the handle assembly,

Figure 25 is a perspective of the handle bracket of Figure 24,

Figure 26 is a fragmentary horizontal section showing the handle bracket assembly of Fig-v ure 24,

Figure 27 is a perspective of the handle of Figure 24,

Figure 28 is an elevation, on a reduced scale, of the umbrella assembly of Figures 24 to 2 folded for shipment or storage,

Figure 29 is a view similar to Figures 15, 22 and 24 showing a further modification of the handle assembly,

Figure 30 is a perspective of the handle of Figure 29, i

Figure 3l is a plan View of the ribs as unfolded to enclose the handle pin, and

Figure 32 is a View similar to Figures 18, 19 and 28 showing the construction of Figures 29 and 30.

Figure 33 is an elevation of a complete umbrella in erected form,

Figure 34 is a side elevation on an enlarged scale of one of the meeting ribs showing means for securing the meeting ribs together,

Figure 35 is a section of line 35-35 of Figure 34,

Figure 36 is a fragmentary view of the other meeting rib, or sixth rib,

Figure 37 is a fragmentary view showing the securing means of Figure 34, in fastening position,

Figure 38 is a section on line 38-38 of Figure 37,

Figure 39 is a view similar to Figure 34 showing a first rib with modified securing means,

Figure 40 is a view similar to Figure 39 showing a form of sixth rib adapted to coact with the rib of Figure 39,

Figure 41 is a fragmentary view showing the securing means of Figures 39 and 40 in fastening position,

Figure 42 is a section taken on line 42-42 of Figure 41, and

Figure 43 is a fragmentary section taken on line 43-43 of Figure 22.

Referring first to the form of construction shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the umbrella comprises a plurality of flat ribs 40 and a flexible cover 4I. The ribs may be formed of any suitable material such, for example, as chipboard, lcardboard, laminated wood or plywood, or plastics. The cover member 4I may be made of any flexible material which is moisture resistant 'or water repellent and which is reasonably durable. Examples of such materials are paper which may 'be treated with various waxes or other materials such as synthetic resins to render it more durable and water resistant,

synthetic materials such, .for example as cello- I phane or -various synthetic materials generally called synthetic rubber, or other nexible materials ior fabrics which also, if necessary, may -be treated to render -them water resistant or water repellent.

The ribs 40 are all similar in size and shape having rsloping upper surfaces 42 and an inner end 43 of substantial height. The exact dimensions of the ribs will depend on the size of the umbrella it is desired to make, and also on ythe relative strength and rigidity of the material used.

I-n Fig-ure l `an end rib is -shown in elevation, the :rib being provided with a hand opening 44. In the form of construction shown six ribs are used, the two Vend rribs when the umbrella is unfolded for use being brought into close contact so that in veffect the umbrella has five ribs, -both of the=meeting ribs having registering hand openings. It will be understood, however, that the invention-is in -no way limited to any precise number of ribs.

fIn :forming -the 'umbrella the ribs are placed in close lateral contact and securing means 45 is formed upon the ends 43 to flexibly hold them together. This means may comprise any suitable material such, for example, as aheavy layer of adhesive which after application is rendered fixed `incharacter and non-adhesive on its faces. Any flexible material may serve as a reenforcement for the adhesive, such materials being fabrics of various types, papers, 'or synthetic sheets which a-re flexible and reasonably durable.

'It `will be understood that in the manufacture of the umbrella large blocks of ribs may be continuously joined, the .joints being thereafter cut between blocks or ribs of proper number or size for :forming individual umbrellas. After the ribs have been thus joined they may be swung out into spaced position `a's shown in plan view in .Figure 3, being held in `such position by suitable jigs. The cover 4l is then secured in position upon the ribs `by suitable adhesive `applied to the upper edge 42 of the rib. After -the cover has been secured to Ythe upper edges of the rib,

a section 46 of the cover, as shown in Figure 3, is cut out. This, then, permits the two end ribs to :be brought together and causes the cover to assume a pyramidal form with all sections of it under suflcient tension so that the cover is stretched.

Various means may be provided for securing the end ribs together. For example, as shown in Figure 5, a continuous coating of adhesive 47 may be applied through the length of the rib adjacent its upper edge. This adhesive is preferably of a well-known type which adheres only to itself and which -also may be stripped apart and caused to again adhere, this operation being capa-ble of being carried out a number of times before the material loses its adhesive qualities.

A mechanical fastener may be provided adjacent the end of the rib, such, for example, as the metal clasp 48 shown in Figure 5, which may have a portion extending beyond the end of the rib to which it is secured so that it may be bent around the adjacent and contacting rib. Various types of snap fasteners which are wellknown in the art may be used at this point.

In Figure 57 the rib 40 is provided with separated strips of adhesive |41 for the purpose of securing the ribs together. These separated strips have less tendency to be pulled away from the backing when the parts are separated for refolding and if one `section is pulled away or destroyed others may remain intact.

In Figure 8 the rib A4l) has been shown as rprovided with a plurality of metal fastening means 49 which may pass through holes provided in the 'contacting rib and 4be bent back to hold the ribs together.

In Figure 9 the rib 40 is shown as provided with one-half 50 of a zipper fastener having the slide member 5|. The complementary rib would have a similar half of the slide fastener and the ribs would 'be held together by longitudinally sliding member 5I in the customary manner.

Various forms of handle construction may be provided for our improved umbrellas. The simplest form consists in 'openings 44 in the meeting ribs as shown in Figure l, The fingers of the hand may be passed through the openings as shown in Figure -13 and thus in addition to the ribs serving as a handle or grasping means, the user by thus holding the umbrella assists .in keeping the end ribs closely together.

The form of construction shown in Figures 10 Vand 11 comprises a metallic bracket 52 held to one of the ribs by means =of rivets 53. The

bracket 52 has a portion 54 which is turned parallel to the under edges of the r-ibs and is provided with Van opening to receive a pin 55 fitting into a handle 56. The pin '55 has 'a yroughened .surface and :is provided with a shoulder 51 to engage the upper surface -of the bracket portion 54. "The handle 56 may be formed `of wood or any suitable material having sufficient rigidity :such as cardboard tubing 'or 4plastic materials. The pin l55 is vnormally closely adjacent the securing strip 45 at the inner ends 'of the ribs 'and when the umbrella is unfolded to operative position it "fits in the vpolygonal opening formed between the ends of the ribs. The roughened surface of the pin 55 causes the pin to be closely gripped .by the ends of the ribs or by the member 4'5 and assists in -forming a rigid structure. The umbrella as formed with this handle, is shown in Figure 14 in 'its packed or inoperative position, and in Figure 13 when completely opened for use.

The form of construction of Figures 15 to 18 inclusive differs from that just described in that the bracket B is pivotally secured by pin 6| to the rib 40 so that the handle may be swung parallel to the under edge of the rib as shown particularly in Figures 16 and 18.

A further modication is shown in Figures 19 to 23 in which a bracket 05 is permanently secured by rivets 0G to the rib 40, this bracket having a portion 6'1 extending parallel to the under edge of the ribs. The bracket portion 61 is provided with a threaded opening 08 as shown in Figure 20. A handle 69 is shown in Figure 20 as provided with a pin 'l0 having a short upwardly extending threaded portion 'H adapted to be threaded into the Opening in the bracket 65.

An alternate form of construction is shown in Figure 2l where the handle 13 provided with a pin 14 having a threaded shoulder 'l5 adapted to engage bracket and having a reduced upwardly extending portion 16 adapted to be fitted within the opening formed by the ends of the ribs when the umbrella is in assembled position.

In these forms 0f construction the handle is detached from the bracket 65 and is packed as a separate element, as shown in Figure 19. The

form of construction shown in Figures 24 to 28 l.

comprises ribs 80 having notches 8l formed therein. A handle securing bracket 82 shown in perspective in Figure 25 is formed with a gripping portion 83 engaged in a slot in one of the ribs and gripping the rib as shown in Figure 24. A fiat portion 82 of the bracket extends in the opening formed by the notches 8| in the ribs as shown in Figure 24 when the umbrella is assembled. The bracket is provided with a threaded opening 8H adapted to receive the threaded end c 85 of the pin 86 carried by the handle 81. The upper end of the handle may be provided with a washer 0B which may be formed of soft material such as natural or synthetic rubber so that when the handle is screwed into position a firm and water-proof joint is made with the ribs of the umbrella.

The handle is detached for shipping as shown in Figure 28.

In the form of construction shown in Figures 29 to 32 the umbrella proper is similar to that of Figures l to 4 with ribs 40 and cover 4|. A separate handle 90 is provided with a pin 9| having an enlarged flattened end 92. The top of the handie 90 carries a soft washer 93 to engage the under edges of the ends of the ribs. The pin 9| is of such length that the enlarged head 02 engages the upper face of the umbrella adjacent the rib ends while the washer 93 engages the under face of the rib ends; consequently when the umbrella is unfolded to operative position the handle is held firmly in position. The cushion washer 93 provides any looseness and holds the parts firmly in position.

It will be understood that the various forms of construction shown may be interchanged in that any type of handle may be used with any type of construction for securing the outer or end ribs together when assembling the umbrella. All forms of construction are simple and inexpensive to manufacture. The umbrellas may be very cheaply manufactured if made of the cheapest materials and may be made of more durable materials at a comparably small increase in cost. The constructions shown, therefore, are adapted not only to form an umbrella which may be sold very cheaply with the idea that it is suitable for use only a few times, or to make an article at a slightly higher price which has considerable durability.

Figure 33 shows a complete umbrella of the type having a handle, with the umbrella erected for use. It will be understood that all of the various forms'shown, which are provided with handles will have this general appearance in use.

Figures 34 to 38 inclusive show a further form of means for securing the contacting iirst and sixth ribs together when the umbrella is erected for use. The rst rib 05 is provided with a, plurality of openings 96 adjacent each of which is secured a bendable metal tongue 01, the tongue extending across a portion of the opening. The matching sixth rib 98 is provided with openings 99 which register with openings 96 in the first rib when the umbrella is erected, as best shown in Figure 38, the tongues 97 being bent through the openings and down against rib 98 to hold the ribs together. When the umbrella is refolded, the tongues 91 may be straightened.

The form of construction shown in Figures 39 to 42 provides securing means formed from' the material of the ribs and this avoids the expense of the metal tongues. A first rib |0| is shown in Figure 39 with a plurality of flaps |02 cut vfrom the rib, the base |03 of the flap being narrower than the body of the flap, the flap sides diverging from the base. The sixth rib |04, shown in Figure 40, is provided with flaps |05 having bases |06 of substantially the same width as the bases |03 of the aps |02. These aps |05, however, have parallel sides and are both narrower and shorter than flaps |02. The flaps on the two ribs are in registration when the ribs are brought together as shown in Figures 41 and 42. The material of which the ribs are formed will yield sufciently to permit the wider flaps |02 to be forced through the narrower and shorter openings of aps |05. The natural resilience of the material will aid in holding the flaps in the position shown in Figure 42, with lap |05 supporting flap |02.

The methods of assembling the various forms of construction will be readily apparent from the description and drawing. The umbrellas will nor- Inally be sold or delivered in the folded forms shown for example in Figures 14, ,18, 19, 28 and 32. The covering is rst unwrapped from about the ribs, after which the handle is removable or is swung out of position, it will be brought into position with any extension up adjacent the inner rib ends. The next step is the swinging of the ribs apart at their free ends to such an extent that the end or outer ribs meet, and the final step consists in securing these ribs together by whatever means are provided for that purpose. Where the securing means is the adhesive of Figures 5 or 7, the adjacent ribs are forced together by pressure as by running a thumb and finger along the outer faces of the double rib after its parts are in contact. The methods of fastening mechanical securing means will be apparent from their construction. The assembly operation may be reversed and the umbrella again folded for easy carriage and storage until next required for use.

While we have shown certain preferred embodiments of our invention, they are understood to be illustrative only as we contemplate such modications and changes as come within the spirit and scope of the appending claims.

We claim:

1. A folding umbrella comprising a plurality of `flat ribs, a flexible member securing the inner yends of the ribs together, said member 'being a means, said handle having an extended portion fitting Within the central opening in the umbrella .against the continuous flat strip.

2. A folding umbrella comprising a plurality of substantially fiat ribs, flexible securing means maintaining the central end of each rib in close relationship with adjacent ribs, a cover secured to said ribs, the outer ribs of the folded umbrella having their outer faces in engagement when the umbrella is in operative position, Yand substantially continuous securing means adjacent the upper edges of said outer ribs for detachably securing them together, said securing means comprising a separable and only self-adhering adhesive.

3. A folding umbrella comprising a plurality of substantially fiat ribs, flexible securing means maintaining the central end of each rib, in close relationship with adjacent ribs, a cover secured 'to said ribs, the ribs being parallel and adjacent each other when the umbrella is folded, the outer `ribs of the folded umbrella having their louter faces in engagement when the umbrella is in operative position, means carried by said outer ribs along their length for detachably securing them together and additional means at the free ends of the ribs for securing these rib ends together, a handle bracket carried by an outer rib, and a handle detachably secured to the bracket.

4. A folding umbrella comprising a plurality of substantially flat ribs, flexible securing means maintaining the central end of each rib in close relationship with adjacent ribs, a cover secured to said ribs, the ribs being parallel and adjacent eachother when the umbrella is folded, the outer ribs of the folded umbrella having their outer faces in engagement when the umbrella is in operative position, means carried by said outer ribs along their length for detachably securing them together and additional means at the free ends of the ribs for securing these rib ends together, a handle bracket carried by an outer rib, and a handle detachably secured to the bracket, said handle having a portion fitting into a vpolygonal central opening formed by the flexible securing means connecting the central Arib `ends to add rigidity to vthe structure.

5. A folding umbrella comprising 4a plurality of substantially at ribs, flexible securing means maintaining .the central lend of each .rib in close relationship with adjacent ribs, a cover `secured to said ribs, the ribs being parallel and adjacent each other when the umbrella is folded, the outer ribs of the folded umbrella having their outer faces in engagement when the umbrella is in operative position, means carried by said outer ribs along their length for detachably securing them together and additional `means .at the free ends of the ribs for securing these rib ends together, a handle bracket pivotally secured to the rib structure and a handle secured to the bracket, the pivotal connection of the bracket facilitating swinging of the handle to substantially parallel relation to the ribs when the umbrella is folded.

6. A folding umbrella comprising a plurality of ribs having one end of each rib pivotally secured to adjacent similar rib ends, a cover `secured to the upper rib edges, said cover having a radial opening whereby the ribs may be swung parallel to each other, the outer ribs -when swung parallel having hand openings formed therein adapted to register with eachother when the umbrella is opened to operative position, whereby to form a handle for the umbrella, the grip of the user serving to maintain the umbrella in open position.

"7. A folding umbrella as defined in claim 6, wherein additional substantially continuous securing means are provided upon the meeting faces of the outer ribs.

LE ROY STAUNTON. RALPH L. ATKINSON. EDWARD J. HOPKINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date .1,457,679 Vincent June 5, 1923 1,501,560 Kean July 15, 1924 1,580,864 Stevenson Apr. 13, 1926 1,752,821 Timblin Apr. 1,1930 .2,143,978 Eeles Jan. 17, 1939 

